Fr. Gits must've been thinking about a different young thug from Fulda

E-MAIL FROM MARK REKER:

I have meant to call into one of your radio shows to share a story, told to me by Father Doug Gits, a Fulda native. Today, as his family and friends celebrate his life in Rochester, I thought it might be as good a time as any to share this.

Father Gits was a fine human being. I met him through my brother when Fr. Gits was helping at St. Francis parish in Rochester during his retirement years.

During one of many visits, we must have been discussing one of your Star Tribune articles when he shared a story from your youth.

As I recall, it occurred at a grade school basketball game between St. Adrian and Fulda. In Fr. Gits' obituary, it is noted he served in Adrian for a few years in the 1950s.

He was coaching St. Adrian. During the game, a St. Adrian player broke away down the court for a likely layup. According to Fr. Gits, before this player reached the basket, "Patrick caught up and leveled the player.''

In today's terminology, you committed a Flagrant 2 foul before the player made it to the basket. Perhaps the Flagrant 2 should be renamed the "Reusse Rule.''

Mark Reker, Worthington Trojans class of 1969

HERE IS BULK OF FR. GITS' OBITUARY:

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered for Fr. Douglas J. Gits on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at St. Francis of Assisi in Rochester, MN. Burial will be at St. Gabriel Cemetery, Fulda.

Father Gits, age 88, of Rochester, a retired priest of the Winona Diocese and a former Army Chaplain, died March 12, 2016, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, of pneumonia.

Douglas J. Gits was born August 9, 1927, in Fulda. He was the son of Victor and Christina (Plut) Gits. He graduated from Fulda High School in 1945.

He was assistant pastor for five years at Adrian, MN. Upon entering the military service in 1961 as an Army chaplain, he served in Fort Riley, Kan.; Korea; White Sands, NM; and Vietnam (1966), where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Upon returning from the military in 1972, he was assigned pastor at Easton/Delavan, Harmony/Lanesboro, Dodge Center/Kasson/Claremont/West Concord, MN and finally at Hayfield, MN before retiring in Rochester..

During his high school years, he participated in football, basketball, baseball, chorus, band, and orchestra. He played football and baseball for St. John's University. He was an avid golfer and winner of the diocese priest golf tournament on many occasions.

ADDENDUM FROM REUSSE:

Doug Gits was an outstanding second baseman for the Fulda Giants town team, with which my father, Richard, was enthusiastically and financially involved, including as manager.

I could never be the type to take a cheap shot at someone, whether in a basketball gym as a kid, or in print or on the air as a career.

I'm just not that kind of a guy.